Assessment of Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Oral and IV Iron Therapy in Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Long-term iron therapy for anemia in chronic kidney disease patients is creating an economic burden and discontinuation of the treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of oral and intravenous iron therapy and iron therapy. Methods: the patients were distributed into group 1 and group 2 and were administered with oral and intravenous iron therapy respectively. Baseline hemoglobin and packed cell volume were recorded and subsequently monitored in the next follow-up visit to assess the efficacy of the iron therapy. Results: Among oral therapy, ferric citrate and ferric ascorbate were administered in 61 % and 39% of patients respectively. Among intravenous Iron sucrose and carboxymalotose were administered in 76% and 24% of patients respectively. There was a mean increase of 1.15g/dl and 2g/dl of hemoglobin with oral ferrous ascorbate and intravenous carboxymaltose therapy respectively. Conclusion: Thus, iron sucrose is found to be a cost-effective treatment. Ferrous ascorbate had more effect than ferric citrate and a lower cost compared to ferric citrate. This study revealed that oral ferrous ascorbate treatment is found to be cost-effective in chronic kidney disease with anemia.
 Keywords: Iron therapy, cost-effective, anemia, hemoglobin, kidney disease.